Motte out for season

The Post-Dispatch reported Friday that the Cards’ closer threw on the side before the start of a three-game set at Miller Park and his right arm did not respond well. While the paper only stated the procedure will be performed next week, KTVI-TV FOX 2 reported that Motte is set to go under the knife on Monday.

Motte, who agreed to a two-year contract in January after tying for the National League lead with 42 saves last season, was sidelined during spring training with a strained right elbow and placed on the disabled list at the outset of the season after a diagnosis of a muscle flexor strain.

A later examination by team medical staff in early April downgraded the prognosis to a Grade 1 tear of the ligament in his throwing elbow, the paper stated. However, Motte seemed to show signs of improvement in recent days, pushing back a deadline of May 1 to decide how his season should proceed.

The 30-year-old has made 282 relief appearances since breaking into the majors in 2008, going 17-13 with 54 saves and a 2.87 ERA.